| What is a puppy mill? |
Simply put, puppy mills are commercial breeders that breed for profit. They do not breed for the betterment of their
breeds, and do not do genetic or health testing. Breeding "stock" are often kept in substandard conditions.
Definitions of a puppy mill from Wikipedia, Canis Major, HSUS...a quick trip to Google will lead you to many more. See the article Prisoners for Profit for an inside look at some of these "facilities."
| How can I tell if I'm buying a dog from a reputable breeder? |
A reputable breeder will have a screening process; they'll be asking more questions of you than you have for them. Most good breeders have homes lined up before a litter is even conceived, so there will probably be a wait for your chosen pup.
Click here for more things to look for, and click here for a list of red flags that should make you run from a breeder.
| Where can I go to find out more info on puppy mills? |
A couple of great places to start are NoPuppyMills.com, and A New Start on Life. The internet is an ever changing place, and new links pop up regularly.
| How does Earth Services get puppy mill dogs? |
The majority of our puppy mill dogs come as breeding "stock" that the mill is done with. Either they've reached an age where they're no longer viable parents, or they're not good "producers."
We also take in puppies that are older and the pet store will not buy. Occasionally we'll receive a puppy with a health condition. Our hope with these pups is that their conditions are treatable, and that we can raise funds for surgery or other appropriate treatment.
Puppy mill rescues come in all shapes and sizes, and they all have their own personalities and quirks. Some of them are "normal"; they have the loving, outgoing personalities that make them great family pets. Some require a bit more rehab, and some have been so affected by their time in the breeding business that they'll always require special patience and understanding. ANSOL has a wonderful article on the rehab of a puppy mill dog - reviewing it is a great place to start.
I'd like to adopt a puppy mill rescue - what do I need to know?